NWS Performance Management System DRAFT PLAN FY06 Q2

Introduction Needed: comprehensive performance management system for products and services. System should provide for: 1.Development, reporting, and interpretation of key measures and indicators related to the quality, timeliness, accuracy, and usefulness of products and services. 2.Identification of significant performance trends to find successes and address deficiencies. 3. Useful and meaningful information and feedback for forecasters, managers, partners, and customers.

National Performance Management Committee  NWS has been successful at measuring and reporting on some mission-critical program elements, however, we can improve. We need: A performance improvement system to adequately analyze trends and identify causative factors for changes in performance at the operations level. A framework for better management decisions at the strategic level and a foundation for true performance improvement at the job level.  To assist in the planning and executing of these improvements, the National Performance Management Committee (NPMC) was chartered.

NPMC Mission  Identify needs in verification/monitoring/evaluation  Validate those needs as agency requirements  Plan projects to meet those requirements  Manage related projects effectively (scope, time, cost)  Implement results in a proactive way to keep performance management in step with growth and change in NWS products and services. To establish a focused process to:

NPMC Vision  To foster the development of a system to verify all sensible weather elements forecast in order to measure forecast and service performance.  Identify and bridge performance gaps and capitalize on successes.  Provide meaningful information and feedback for forecasters, managers, and other users.

NPMC Concept: A Model for Continuous Improvement

NPMC Functions  Solicit requirements for verification, monitoring, and evaluation needs.  Coordinate requirements with the service branch (or other appropriate authority) for validation.  Develop project plans to address requirements.  Prioritize projects.  Assist in the development of OSIP documents.  Participate in project prototyping.  Monitor progress of projects through implementation.  Solicit feedback on completed projects.

NPMC Operating Process

Addressing our current needs  Growth in the suite of products and services offered by the NWS has not been met with a proportional level of verification-related development.  Our process will provide a mechanism for bridging the existing gaps.  To move past the current state, the NMPC is establishing a collective working knowledge of the existing verification and performance management system in the NWS in order to properly evaluate and prioritize future needs.

Performance Management Plan Objectives 1.Improve performance assessment system for NDFD 2.Improve performance assessment system for watches, warnings, and high impact events 3.Improve use and understanding of performance information 4.Improve service evaluation/assessment activities 5.Operate and maintain existing verification systems until they are replaced by new systems/technology 6.Provide performance information to partners and users

Performance Management Plan  Add operational and experimental elements  Provide access to data files for local analysis  Incorporate additional gridded fields for comparison  Improve marine verification program  Implement forecast feedback tool at WFOs  Provide individual forecaster verification Objective #1: Improve performance assessment system for NDFD.

Performance Management Plan  Provide near real-time warning verification from local storm reports  Automate winter storm, non-precip, and coastal flood watch and warning verification  Automate flood watch/warning verification  Modernize Stats on Demand  Modernize StormData and incorporate GIS  Implement polygon warning verification Objective #2: Improve performance assessment system for watches, warnings, and high impact events.

Performance Management Plan  Develop assessment tools  Develop training for managers and forecasters  Enhance communication and collaboration Objective #3: Improve use and understanding of performance information.

Performance Management Plan  Investigate techniques for quantifying or otherwise measuring impacts  Investigate feasibility of applying root cause analysis techniques for service assessments  Implement comprehensive outreach reporting/tracking system  Implement measures for customer satisfaction Objective #4: Improve service evaluation/ assessment activities.

Performance Management Plan  Enhance point-based marine verification  Enhance TAF Verification  Enhance River Verification  Update PFM Verification  Transition RTVS to NWS Objective #5: Operate and maintain existing systems until they are replaced by new systems/technology.

Performance Management Plan  Update public NDFD Verification Site  Implement Fire Weather NFDRS Verification  Develop new measures and goals (Corporate and GPRA)  Publish additional performance results as appropriate  Enhance RTVS Objective #6: Provide performance information to partners and users.